As concerns grow over the dangers of coronavirus variants for pregnant women and young people, Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem said on Sunday that a 32-year-old woman in her third trimester died of COVID-19 and that her baby did not. survived. an emergency birth.
Osnat Ben Sheetrit, a mother of four young children, succumbed to COVID complications, despite not suffering from underlying illnesses.
“Unfortunately, the mother and fetus were in critical condition and, despite the fact that the mother was connected to an ECMO [heart and lung bypass] car and, despite great efforts to save the life of the fetus in the pre-emergency intensive care unit, they died, ”said Hadassah.
A close relative of Osnat posted her picture on Instagram and wrote: “A mother of four pure princes went through a pregnancy she did not survive. Our hearts are broken, we do not do what to do with us “There is no consolation.”
Last week, Israel recorded the first recorded case of the death of a fetus after coronavirus infection. The mother, who underwent a fatal birth at Assuta Hospital in Ashdod, tested positive for coronavirus after failing to report any symptoms she had experienced.
The hospital said that if the woman had been vaccinated, she would most likely not have been infected with the virus.
According to the Ministry of Health, there are 50 pregnant women currently hospitalized due to coronavirus complications.
According to data presented by the ministry on Sunday, 10 of the women are in serious condition and eight are in critical condition – seven on fans and one connected to an ECMO device.
Prof. Galia Rahav, head of the Infectious Diseases and Laboratories Unit at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv, said all women were in the final stages of pregnancy and had not been vaccinated.
Most, she said, were from the Haredi sector and had other children at home.
“I think their serious illness comes from the British coronavirus strain,” she said.
“Treating coronavirus patients during pregnancy is not like regular treatments, so we definitely recommend vaccination, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy,” Rahav said.
Dr. Ortal Ne’eman, director of the Maternity and Fetal Medicine Unit at Ashuta Public Hospital in Ashdod, also called on pregnant women to get vaccinated.
In recent weeks we have seen an increase in coronavirus infections among pregnant women. The dilemma of getting vaccinated is understandable, but it is not justified, “said Ne’eman.
“So far, no woman has been diagnosed with coronavirus in Israel after receiving her second jab. Please be vaccinated to keep you and your fetus safe. Any hesitation means a possibility of unnecessary infection.”
The Ministry of Health said on Sunday that there are currently 48 children under the age of 18 hospitalized with coronavirus, six of whom are in critical condition.
Although this marks an increase of eight children in two days, it is below the record number for February of 50 children.